Increasing Calm one Classroom at a time: A Sample Letter you can send to your child's teacher

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) continues to be a key component in child development. Emotional regulation, self-awareness, communication and resilience are important skills for all kids to cultivate. Because kids spend so much time at school, it's important for SEL to be a part of the school environment. However, asking already overly-taxed teachers to add one more thing is tricky. Some school districts have district-wide SEL programs and provide training and support. Other districts leave SEL decisions up to each school or classroom and every environment is unique. If your school doesn't have any SEL resources or programs in place, there are a variety of tools available to support teachers as they add SEL learning to the classroom environment. In this week's podcast, I talked with Giselle Shardlow of Kids Yoga Stories about the different ways her tools support kids of all ages in developing these essential SEL skills. What follows is a sample email you can use to see about getting Kids Yoga Stories added to your school's library or potentially used in your child's classroom. If you haven't heard the podcast yet, you can check it out here.

Dear [Teacher’s Name],

I hope this message finds you well. I want to first express my gratitude for the time, care, and dedication you pour into our children each day. It is clear that academics are a top priority, and I appreciate the many ways you also foster kindness, cooperation, and resilience among students.

I am curious about our school's approach to SEL. Is there a specific program that we use? Are there ways I can support my child's SEL learning at home in a way that compliments what you're teaching? As I recognize how essential social-emotional learning (SEL) is for children—not only for their academic success but also for their overall well-being, I am finding myself increasingly invested in simple resources that can help with this task. Especially since kids today are navigating a world that feels faster and more demanding than ever, and many of them are experiencing higher levels of stress, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm, I want to make sure they have consistent support.

After listening to a recent podcast, I would love to see our school strengthen its support for students’ emotional health by considering SEL resources like Kids Yoga Stories. What would be the process for getting these books in our school library? The stories integrate movement, mindfulness, and storytelling to teach children practical strategies for calming their bodies, managing big emotions, and practicing empathy and compassion. These simple stories fit seamlessly into the school day and have been shown to:

• Improve focus and concentration in the classroom

• Support self-regulation and reduce disruptive behaviors

• Enhance cooperation and positive peer relationships

• Equip children with lifelong tools for stress management

As a parent, I believe incorporating resources like Kids Yoga Stories could complement the excellent academic instruction already happening here and would align with the school’s commitment to educating the whole child. Can you point me in the right direction for making this request?

With gratitude,[Your Name][Your Contact Information]